The carved bears on this Black Forest carved tall case clock no doubt appealed to bidders, who took the 98-inch-tall piece to $33,000. It sold to a New York state buyer with a lodge it would be right at home in ($4/6,000).
Review by Madelia Hickman Ring, Photos Courtesy Strawser Auction Group
WOLCOTVILLE, IND. – In its twice-annual series of auctions, October 12-15, Strawser Auction Group sent more than 2,250 lots across its block. Among auctions of antiques (October 12), glass (October 13), ceramics (October 14), and one dedicated to majolica on October 15, more than 97 percent of the lots traded successfully.
“It was a pretty comparable sale [to previous sales]. It did just fine and went well for us,” MIchael Strawser said after the sale.
The high bar was set on the first day when a monumental Black Forest tall case clock, carved with bears and measuring nearly 100 inches tall, finished at $33,000, more than five times its high estimate. According to Strawser, it sold to a buyer in New York who has a lodge. It was one of five lots of Black Forest carved pieces, including a smoking stand and mantel clock.
Other highlights on the first day included a circular 16-inch porcelain sign for Sinclair Pennsylvania motor oil that depicted a dinosaur as part of its graphic composition and featured the slogan “Mellowed 100 Million Years.” Estimated at $800-$1,200, it brought more than 10 times it’s high estimate, going to $13,200. For whimsy, a Midcentury Modern carved and giltwood table attributed to Pedro Friedeberg, had a base with six hands and feet supporting a circular glass top. It also surpassed expectations, earning $9,500 against a $2,5/3,500 estimate.
The second highest price in the sale at $20,060 was this rare Minton majolica ewer that was described as “monumental” and stood 23 inches tall. It led a 652-lot sale of majolica on the last day of the event, selling to an online buyer ($10/15,000).
The second highest price of the event at $20,060 was shared by two lots, first achieved by a rare Mount Washington Napoli oil lamp decorated with enameled Palmer Cox Brownies. Despite a replaced font, the piece lit up its $3/5,000 estimate and sold to an online buyer. It was followed across the block by a Mount Washington Napoli biscuit jar with similar decoration; both had been consigned by the same seller.
Tying for a second place finish came for a monumental Minton majolica ewer, which stood 23 inches tall and was modeled with a mermaid handle and Bacchus mask, a putto below the spout and relief molded panels to either side. Estimated at $10/15,000, it topped off at $20,060 and the highest price paid for in the 652-lot majolica auction, which is an area of specialization for Strawser. A Wedgwood majolica cheese keeper with bird and fan decoration on a cobalt ground that measured 10 inches tall and 9 inches in diameter cut a good price at $10,620, just ahead of a Hugo Lonitz majolica figure of a stag bidders bagged for $9,440. Described as “very large and rare,” the figure measured 10þ inches tall and 13 inches long and had an impressed double fish mark. Other works by Hugo Lonitz included a wall pocket in the form of an ivy-covered bird’s nest, a trophy of fish and a center bowl with two figures.
More than 500 lots of ceramics – including 200 oyster plates – was the focus of the ceramics sale on October 14. Prior to the sale, the lot with the highest estimate was a 9-inch-tall Wedgwood Fairyland lustre vase; it went on to lead the prices realized, selling beyond expectations for $2,832.
Strawser’s next series of auctions will take place in May 2023.
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, www.strawserauctions.com or 260-854-2859.
